The French have had exchange programs with the USSR since the 1970s when
MiG-23s would visit France and Mirages the USSR.

"Mike" wrote in message
om...
France downplays jet swap with Russia
France says recent joint maneuvers in which Russian and French pilots
flew each other's aircraft were not an effort to help Russia join NATO
or the European Union, but simply "in the interest of world peace and
cooperation."
http://www.washtimes.com/world/20030...2731-6790r.htm

IIRC, USAF pilots flew most of the European and Asian Air Force planes
- except the U.S. Navy, hehe.
Mike